After escaping the burden of city life, an office worker begins their new life managing their grandfather's farmland in the rural region of Stardew Valley in this indie mix of top-down action-RPG and life simulation.

Overview

Stardew Valley is a top-down modern-fantasy life-simulation action-RPG created by indie developer Eric Barone (under the studio name ConcernedApe) and digitally published by Chucklefish for the PC on February 26, 2016. It was made available to Mac and Linux platforms on July 26, 2016 and was later ported to numerous consoles (alongside numerous updates).

Built in the same vein as the Harvest Moon and Rune Factory series, players control a customizable resident of the isolated rural region of Stardew Valley. After feeling burdened by their office job in the city, the player character moves to the region after obtaining the deed to their grandfather's neglected farm, where they work to get it restored.

While maintaining their farmland, players can build relationships (both friendly and romantic) with the villagers in and around Pelican Town, learn new trades (including mining and fishing), encounter numerous fantasy creatures (some of which are friendly), and attempt to revitalize the region (by either restoring the town's Community Center or paying the antagonistic Joja Corporation to refurbish it).

Originally a solo project that took four years of development, Stardew Valley later received numerous post-release updates with assistance by both Chucklefish and Playism (for localization). These include new late-game content, more game mechanics and events, improved UI and polish, and multiplayer support (for up to four players).

Gameplay

The core gameplay of Stardew Valley is a farming simulation and employs the typical conventions of many simulation games, such as a day/night cycle and seasonal changes. Farming gameplay involves tilling soil and planting various seeds, as well as maintaining and eventually harvesting the resultant crops. Eventually the player can keep livestock, which are not slaughtered for their meat, but instead generate animal products such as eggs and milk.

While the game's primary focus is farming, Stardew Valley also features fishing, foraging, mining, a combat system and scripted social events. Players can customize their farm's layout, craft special items and decorations, and get to know the townsfolk personally through quests and gift-giving. There are a total of ten romance options (five bachelors and five bachelorettes) and no restrictions regarding same-gender marriage.

The player can choose to try and revitalize Pelican Town's derelict Community Center to unlock various improvements for the town, or they can side with the mega-corporation Joja and pay cash to gain success. There is a local library/museum that accepts donations of artifacts and precious minerals, as well as a mouse merchant who sells unique hats that become available after unlocking specific Steam Achievements.

New Game

Stardew Valley features several character customization options when beginning a new game, including gender, skin tone, hairstyle and clothing. Players can also choose their farm's name and their "favorite thing," which is sometimes referenced in dialogue. Animal preference determines whether the player will later receive a cat or a dog as a farm pet.

New arrivals in Stardew Valley are greeted by Robin, the local carpenter. Robin escorts the player to their grandfather's farm, which has become completely overgrown after years of neglect. After meeting Mayor Lewis of nearby Pelican Town, the player is given a basic set of tools and a starter packet of Parsnip seeds with which to begin their new farming operation. Lewis also recommends that the player introduce themselves to the Valley's other residents as the new farmer. After the introductory sequence, gameplay is largely open-ended, allowing players to set their own goals and explore the world at their own pace.

The Farm

Players manage their farm plot in order to earn income from crops, animal produce and artisan goods. However, the land must first be cleared of obstructions such as trees, shrubs and rocks before any crops or structures can be created. The player's farm plot also contains their Farmhouse, which can be upgraded by bringing cash and raw materials to Robin. Players can sell items by placing them inside a convenient Shipping Box located near the Farmhouse; Mayor Lewis collects the contents of the box each night and sells them on behalf of the player at their standard prices.

Additional buildings can be constructed on the farm by Robin, such as chicken coops, barns and horse stables. Players can restore the destroyed Greenhouse on the northern edge of the farm by completing the Pantry quests in the Community Center, allowing any seeds planted inside to grow regardless of the current season.

After reaching 25,000G in total earnings, Demetrius offers to improve the cave behind the Greenhouse for free. He gives players the choice of installing a habitat for fruit bats, which generate random Fruit, or grow boxes for fungi which generate random Mushrooms.

Grandpa's Shrine can be found in the farm's northwest corner. Inspecting the Shrine reveals a letter asking the player to "wait for my return at the dawn of the third year".

Tools

Players rely on tools to shape their farm plot and gather certain resources. Several Tools can be upgraded by Clint at his blacksmith shop, which increases their efficiency. Upon arriving in Stardew Valley, the player is given a set of five basic tools:

Hoe: The farmer's signature tool of the trade, Hoes are used to till soil. Once tilled, Fertilizer and Seeds can be planted on a soil tile.

Scythe: Nearly as ubiquitous as the Hoe, the curved Scythe slices tall grass and shrubs with ease. If a Silo has been constructed, cut grass will be automatically deposited as Hay for livestock feed.

Axe: Standard trees and stumps are no match for the trusty Axe, but it must be upgraded to Copper-grade in order to chop tougher Hardwood logs.

Watering Can: Plants need water to grow, and this humble vessel fills the role nicely.

Four additional Tools can eventually be acquired through scripted events, quests or by purchasing them from the appropriate vendor.

Fishing Rod: A bounty of aquatic species can be snagged by skillful fishermen. Willy gifts a basic Bamboo Rod to the player in an early scripted event and will eventually sell better Rods for purchase.

Milk Pail: Used to collect raw Milk from livestock.

Shears: Wool can be harvested from Sheep with a sharp pair of Shears.

Copper Pan: Once unlocked, players can use this to pan for mineral ore in streams.

Crops

Seeds can be bought from Pierre's General Store or earned by completing Community Center quests. They can only be planted on soil tiles that have been tilled with a hoe; once planted, the crop must be watered daily to stimulate growth. Different crops require varying growth periods, and most crops can only be grown in certain seasons. Any planted crops with seasonal requirements will die at the beginning of the next non-viable season.

Various kinds of fertilizer can also be added to tilled soil prior to planting seeds. Each type of fertilizer grants a different beneficial effect, such as faster plant growth or higher-quality crops.

In addition to replanting common Acorns, Maple Seeds and Pine Cones to grow new trees on the Farm, several kinds of fruit tree saplings can also be purchased at Pierre's. Unlike standard crops, trees do not require watering and won't die following a seasonal change, making them viable long-term investments.

Energy & Health

Using a hoe, wood axe, pickaxe, fishing rod or watering can consumes Energy, which is displayed as a bar marked with the letter "E" in the lower-right corner. In addition to sleeping in the Farmhouse's bed, Energy can be restored with certain consumable items or by visiting Stardew Valley's local Spa.

Players that stay awake past 12:00 AM will receive a warning that "it's getting late". Going to sleep after midnight reduces the total amount of Energy recovered by the next morning. If the player does not reach their bed by 2:00 AM or uses up their entire Energy reserve, they will pass out on the spot from exhaustion. When this occurs, the player will awaken the next morning with only half of their total Energy restored and an invoice from Harvey for medical services rendered.

A Health meter appears next to the Energy bar while players are in the Mines or the Secret Woods. Like Energy, Health can be restored by sleeping, visiting the Spa or using consumables. If a player's health reaches zero, they will pass out and be woken up by one of the other villagers. Players that pass out due to health loss may randomly lose some of their inventory items, in addition to paying a heftier medical fee to Harvey.

Points of Interest

Stardew Valley is a lush and largely undeveloped region located in the Ferngill Republic. It contains the village of Pelican Town, as well as a number of other natural and artificial landmarks that can be discovered in the surrounding areas.

Certain characters refer to the ongoing conflict between the Ferngill Republic and the Gotoro Empire, an opposing nation located on the opposite side of the Gem Sea.

The Farm: The player's farm is located just west of Pelican Town. It is the only area in which players may plant and harvest crops, build structures and keep their livestock.

Pelican Town: A quaint little village nestled in the heart of Stardew Valley.

Pierre's General Store: Pierre owns and operates a general store in the village square that sells a wide assortment of seeds, fertilizer, groceries and other sundries.

Harvey's Clinic: A complete lack of hospitals in Stardew Valley means that residents must rely on Harvey's modest clinic for medical services. Maru also works in the Clinic as Harvey's assistant on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Stardrop Saloon: Pelican Town's bar is a popular hangout for locals. It is run by Gus, the friendly barkeep and chef.

Museum: Stardew Valley's Museum features several exhibit displays that can be filled with donations such as precious minerals and other rare artifacts. Its sole staff member Gunther rewards repeat donors with unique gifts. The Museum also contains library bookshelves that hold any Books discovered by the player.

Blacksmith: Clint runs Pelican Town's smithy and provides valuable services such as upgrading certain Tools and breaking open Geodes to reveal their mineral contents. He also sells several varieties of metal ore.

Community Center: Pelican Town's disused Community Center is initially locked, but Mayor Lewis will unlock the door permanently in an early scripted event. After stepping inside, players will discover strange creatures called Junimos that refer to themselves as the "keepers of the forest". With some magical assistance from the Wizard, the player comes to understand the Junimos' language. They can choose to assist the friendly sprites in restoring the Community Center by completing "Bundles" consisting of specific items in exchange for rewards.

JojaMart: A modern supermarket owned by the powerful Joja Corporation. While convenient, JojaMart's presence has had a profoundly negative impact on Pelican Town's local economy. Morris, a loyal Joja representative, works tirelessly to attract new customers and expand Joja's presence in Stardew Valley. Shane also works at JojaMart, albeit with less enthusiasm than his manager Morris. If the player chooses to purchase a JojaMart Membership from Morris, this leads to the Community Center's acquisition by Joja Corporation, and the replacement of the old building with a new Joja Warehouse.

Cindersap Forest: A large wooded area to the south of the Farm offering a variety of foraging items and fish waiting to be harvested. A livestock farmer named Marnie sells animals raised on her farm, which sits on the northern edge of the forest. On Fridays and Sundays, a Traveling Cart arrives in the forest to sell unique goods.

Wizard's Tower: A reclusive Wizard practices magic in his Tower on the forest's western edge.

Secret Woods: Players equipped with the Steel Axe can break a fallen log in the northwest corner to gain access to the Secret Woods, but they should be wary of the resident Slimes living there.

Hat Shop: After unlocking at least one Achievement, a talking mouse moves into the abandoned house on the southern edge of Cindersap and opens a hat shop.

Sewer: Raw sewage drips from a locked grate in the southeast corner of Cindersap, which can later be opened with Gunther's Rusty Key. The sewer tunnel also connects to a manhole in Pelican Town.

Pelican Beach: Ocean debris constantly washes onto the sandy southern coast of Stardew Valley, making this the destination for beach-combers. Willy owns a small Fishing Shop adjacent to the docks, where he sells bait, tackle and fishing rods.

Carpenter's Shop: Located north of Pelican Town, Robin runs a workshop attached to her family's home. She can assist the player with building new structures on their Farm as well as upgrading existing ones, including the Farmhouse. Robin's services require both cash payment and a bundle of raw materials, particularly wood and stone. She can also demolish any unwanted buildings except the Farmhouse.

Stardew Spa: Weary players can take a relaxing soak in the Spa's heated bathhouse to recover their Energy and Health. The path leading north from the Carpenter's Shop to the Spa is initially blocked, but an earthquake occurring early in the first Summer opens the way. A railroad track lies just behind the Spa; trains sometimes pass through the Valley on this rail line and occasionally drop valuable items for the player to retrieve.

The Mines: A series of dark caverns filled with all manner of dangerous creatures. Bold players can delve into the Mines in search of valuable mineral ore and other treasures, provided that they can defend themselves from the bloodthirsty monsters who lurk inside.

Adventurer's Guild: Conveniently located just to the east of the entrance to the Mines, veteran adventurer Marlon sells new armor and weapons inside the Adventurer's Guild hall. Marlon allows players to join his Guild after they have defeated ten Slimes.

Quarry: Further east past the Adventurer's Guild lies a large Quarry which periodically generates stone and mineral ores. However, the bridge leading to the Quarry has collapsed and must be repaired first.

Calico Desert: An arid desert that can be explored once Pam's passenger bus has been fixed.

Characters

Stardew Valley's residents are initially somewhat wary of the player as a new arrival. Players can give gifts to most villagers to increase their affection, which is represented in the game's pause menu by a row of ten Hearts next to the villager's face. Twelve of the villagers can be pursued romantically and can eventually marry the player.

Bachelors

Alex

Elliott

Harvey

Sam

Sebastian

Shane (Patch 1.1)

Bachelorettes

Abigail

Haley

Leah

Maru

Penny

Emily (Patch 1.1)

Non-Romanceable NPCs

Caroline

Clint

Demetrius

Dwarf

Evelyn

George

Gus

Jas

Jodi

Kent

Krobus

Lewis

Linus

Marnie

Pam

Pierre

Robin

Sandy

Vincent

Willy

Wizard

Non-Social NPCs

Bouncer

Gil

Governor

Grandpa

Gunther

Marlon

Morris

Mr. Qi

Patch 1.1

According to ConcernedApe on the Stardew Valley's forums, patch 1.1 would include the following fixes and added content:

More late-game content

New farm buildings

New crops

New artisan goods

New advanced farming/producing mechanics

Shane and Emily will be marriage candidates. They will also have more events and dialogue as a result.

More marriage content for all spouses

More events for the non-marriage NPC’s

Improvements/Additions to mining and combat

Ability to move buildings and other convenience features

More bug fixes

More secrets

More small, fun touches to the world

He also mentions that he's working on even further support for cooperative multiplayer, localization for non-English speakers, Mac/Linux support, and unknown console support.